An Jinming, deputy director of the Beijing Tourism Administration, said at a recent conference that the silver-hair tourism market should be developed to reinforce the development of scenic spots and mitigate the poor low season resulting from the global financial crisis.

According to an announcement released by BTA, 115 scenic spots in Beijing, including the Palace Museum and Beijing Zoo, have began to offer preferential policy to people over 65 years old by either exempting them from paying for entrance tickets or charging them discounted ticket prices.

An encouraged more A Class scenic spots in the city to join this campaign to either offer free admission or half price entrance tickets to senior citizens. He said this would help the scenic spots show their social responsibility on the one hand, and help them increase tourist numbers on the other hand. An added that the silver-hair tourism market is worth considering.

(China Hospitality News January 12, 2009)